College of Education and Rehabilitation

Blindness and Low Vision Studies

Admissions Procedures

Admission to a program of studies in the College of Education and Rehabilitation is based on the “candidate profile” of individual applicants. The “candidate profile” is comprised of three indices: (1) Academic Achievement, (2) Personal Index and (3) Interview Index.

Academic Achievement

The criteria for evaluating academic achievement consist of grade point averages, major, college or university attended, number of college credits completed, degree status and national test scores. One essay and a Statement of Purpose are submitted with the application. The objective criteria are weighed according to recommendations of the College of Education and Rehabilitation Admissions Committee. The weighing of each criterion is privileged information, which is restricted to Admissions Committee members. If an applicant’s academic achievement falls within an acceptable range, the applicant is invited to an interview.

Personal Index

These criteria are a subjective measure of an applicant’s acceptability. The index is comprised of letters of reference and extracurricular activities, and the applicant’s essay and Statement of Purpose.

Interview Index

An evaluation of the applicant’s knowledge, interest and motivation to work in the field of vision impairment. The College of Education and Rehabilitation
Admissions Committee recommends that each applicant be interviewed by at
least one faculty member and the director of the program. Each interviewer
provides written information to the Admissions Committee. In-person
interviews are preferred; however, telephone interviews can be arranged.

After the interview, the College of Education and Rehabilitation Admissions Committee evaluates the findings of the candidate profile (academic achievement + personal index + interview index), and makes a recommendation regarding the applicant’s acceptability status. A student’s file must be complete before review by the Admissions Committee. Every effort is made to provide decisions to applicants within two to four weeks of the scheduled interview. The University’s director of Admissions will send final notification to the applicant.

Students may take up to nine credits as non-matriculants before being admitted as a matriculated student. Matriculation status includes admission and completion of a matriculation statement (student data sheet).

Education of Children with Blindness and Visual Impairment
Lynne Dellinger, Directorldellinger@salus.edu or 215.780.1362

Application Checklist

The following important information is for all applicants to the College of Education and Rehabilitation. Please read this carefully before completing the application form.

Please send the application form before submitting credentials

When corresponding or having correspondence or transcripts sent to Salus University, please be sure to include
“College of Education and Rehabilitation” in the address.

Application Items Required for Submission

Transcripts

All applicants are responsible for having official copies of transcripts for every college or university attended sent directly to the Salus University College of Education and Rehabilitation, regardless of whether a degree has been received from that particular institution or not. These certified copies of official academic records (transcripts) for all undergraduate and graduate work should be mailed directly to Salus University, College of Education and Rehabilitation, not issued to the student. A transcript stamped “Issued to Student” is not acceptable, even when delivered in a sealed envelope.

Applicants for whom English is a second language must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Test of Spoken English and Test of Written English.

All official college transcripts from foreign countries must be submitted in English to the World Education Services - www.wes.org - for document-by-document evaluation before submission to the Salus University College of Education and Rehabilitation Admissions Committee.

National Test Scores

Applicants who do not have a graduate degree, must have official scores of the appropriate national test sent directly to the Salus University College of Education and Rehabilitation. Test scores must be no more than seven years old.

MAT: The Miller Analogies Test is a mental abilities test consisting of a series of intellectual problems stated in the form of analogies, mostly verbal, which the student must solve. The examination is based on general knowledge, takes 50 minutes, and is administered throughout the country, on a regular basis by local test centers. There is a fee to take this test and it is taken only by appointment. The MAT institution code is 2556.

GRE: The Graduate Record Examination is administered through the National Program for Graduate School Selection and the Education Testing Service. The Aptitude Test is a three-and-one-half hour examination measuring general scholastic ability at the graduate level and yielding separate scores for verbal, quantitative and analytic abilities. The GRE is given five times a year and there is a fee to take this test. Score reports take approximately six to eight weeks to reach their destinations; therefore, applicants should allow enough time for test scores to reach the University in time for consideration. The GRE institution code is 2645.

OAT: The Optometry Admission Test is designed to measure general academic ability and scientific knowledge. All the questions are multiple choice; the sections of the test include verbal ability, quantitative ability, biology, chemistry, physics and reading comprehension. There is a fee to take this test and it is administered twice each year at established testing centers across the U.S.A. and Canada.

Applicants should direct the individual to complete the form and send it to:

Salus University, College of Education and Rehabilitation
8360 Old York Road
Elkins Park, PA 19027.
The department fax number is 215.780.1357.

Statement of Purpose

Applicants must submit a statement explaining their purpose and motivation in undertaking graduate studies in the selected program.

Job Resumé/Curriculum Vita

All applicants must submit an educational and job resume (or curriculum vita). The data should list (in chronological order) the applicant’s education and work experiences, publications, and honors or achievements to date.

Essays

Applicants must submit an essay for one of the options provided in the application.

Application Fee

Mail application fee form and a nonrefundable fee of $50.00 in the form of a check or money order (made payable to Salus University, College of Education and Rehabilitation) and send them to: Salus University, College of Education and Rehabilitation, 8360 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027. Please do not send cash. Do not send a check or money order in excess of the required amount.

Background Clearances

Applicants to the Professional Programs for Education of Children with Visual and Multiple Disabilities must submit copies of current state and federal background clearances at the time of application to the Program.